Far better for global competitors to meet on athletic fields than on battlefields

With the formal opening today of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, the people of the world can enjoy a respite from the usual global contests - in economic and geopolitical arenas - and turn instead to more collegial competition. In Rochester, the city whose past winter Olympians have included Cathy Turner and A.J. Kitt, that means rooting for the red, white and blue with a special eye on homegrown athletes.

The games, which at their best represent goodwill and sportsmanship, arrive at a particularly opportune time. Civil war in Syria, nuclear talks in Iran and increasing violence in South Sudan have tested the limits of international diplomacy both inside the United Nations and out. That nations are, for the most part, able every two years to set aside political concerns and share the Olympian spotlight is a welcome change of pace.

For the most part. World Wars have canceled the games (in 1916, 1940 and 1944), and boycotts marred participation at the height of the Cold War. But the contests have persevered, to the point where a record 88 countries are participating over the next two-plus weeks in Sochi. (More than 200 nations regularly compete in the summer games.)

Even with the travel advisories and terror concerns that accompany all such events these days, the Olympics allows less-than-friendly nations to interact on the same field. Such sports-related symbolism can be powerful. Recall it was the exchange of ping-pong players between the U.S. and China in the 1970s that led to a thaw in their diplomatic relations.

Finally, there is the beauty, some would call it poetry, of pure sport; of the world's best athletes performing on the world's biggest stage. Whether it is the individual challenge of a downhill skier (or, this being 2014, a slopestyle snowboarder) seeking perfection, or the head-to-head competition in team sport, there is much to cheer.

Which, in Rochester, brings us to hockey. Skating for the U.S. will be Ryan Callahan of Greece and former Rochester Amerk Ryan Miller. Some half a dozen other players with Amerks or Buffalo Sabres experience take the ice for countries such as Latvia, Sweden and Germany.

Not to mention speed skater Brittany Bowe, daughter of a Victor High School graduate, or skier - and recent Sports Illustrated cover subject - Mikaela Shiffrin, who has relatives in Brighton.

Such is the magic of the Olympics, as summer games stars Jenn Suhr and Abby Wambach have recently demonstrated. They not only bring the world together but the gold medalist can hail from anywhere on the planet. Including Rochester.